Improvement in brush-trimming machines



2Sheets--Sheet1. J. PICK ERING.

Brush-Trimming Machines.

N 157 104 Patented Nov. 24,1874.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH PIOKERING, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA,'ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO JOSEPH M. PIOKERING, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BRUSH-TRIMMlNG MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,104, dated November 24, 1874; application filed J one 4, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn PIGKERING, of the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Brush Trimming or Shearing Machines, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to a two-edged knife on a reciprocating frame, in combination with a series of stationary cutters, carrying-belt, and mechanism for moving the same. A novel device, fully described hereafter, is used for setting the knife to the stationary cutters and it is automatically set at each stroke, so as to have its rear edge relieved from contact with the cutters while the front edge is brought to bear against them.

Figurel is a plan view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3, Sheet No. 2, is a vertical section taken at the line 00 a: of Fig. 2. Figs. 4., 5, and 6 are views, at right angles to each other, of the slide K. Fig. 7 is an isometrical view of the knife 0 and lever l, with which it is connected.

Like letters of reference in all the figures indicate the same parts.

A is the bedplate of my improved machine, and B a frame connected therewith, to which the several parts are attached. 0 O are grooved horizontal ways for the passage of the brush-stocks, each of which is adjustable at its ends on the stationary uprights a c and a a, which project upward from the horizontal timber D, by means of the clamping-pieces b b and screws 0 c, in adaptation to any variation in the width of the brush-stocks E, which slide in the grooves d d of the ways.

The brush-stock, being placed between the ways 0 (J, is carried forward by means of the belt F on the rollers G and G, the belt being provided with stops 6, and being pressed against by the spring H. (Seen in Figs. 1 and 3.)

The forward motion is given to the belt, as the roller G is revolved in the direction of the arrows, by means of the treadle I, acting through the pitman J and upright slide K, as follows: The slide is provided with inclines f f, which, during each upward and downward stroke, by bearing against the friction-roller g on the pin h, which projects from the resilient end of the spring L, forces it in the direction of the arrow, and the horizontal bar I (also connected at one end with said pin it, and provided with a pawl, M, which engages with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel N on the roller G) is thereby moved forward, carrying the belt for feeding the brush to the stationary cutters j.

0 is a double-edge knife, connected with the slide K, which operates during both the up and down strokes of the slide. The upper edge of the knife is automatically brought to a shearing position before it reaches the stationary cutters in its upward stroke, and the lower edge is also brought into said position before it reaches them in its downward stroke,

so as to effect an action of the knife like that of a pair of shears. This is effected by means shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The knife is permanently connected with the lever l, as seen in Fig. 7. It is hung on the fulcrum-pin m, which projects from the horizontal adj ustable plate n. The joint-pin m, to which the upper end of the pitman J is attached, also projects from said plate. The front end of the lever 1 plays between the lugs 0 0, which admits of its cantin g each way to free the back edge of the knife from the stationary cutters. The angle of the knife may be varied by means of the adjustable screws 12 p, which pass through the lugs o o. The plate a is held to the slide K means of the screw q. The plate is adjustable by means of the set-screw r and the slot 8 of the plate, through which the screw q passes, so as to set the knife 0 to the stationary cutters j. P is a spring, connected with the slide K, whose resilient ends bear against the inner edge of the upright a, to keep: the slide up against its bearings, and thus keep the knife 0 fairly against the stationary cutters j. P is a spring, attached to the spring L, which forces the pawl 73 into connection with the ratchet-wheel M; and P is a detent, which holds the ratchet-wheel intact. The faces of the cutters j fall back a short distance from side of the upright a, so as to admit of the free passage of the trimmed ends of the grass or bristles. Variations in the length of the bristles are made by means of a crossslot in the lower Way 0 and a tightening-screw, which passes through a clampin g-plate.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of the slide K, having inclines ff, spring L, bar I pawl M ratchetwheel N, rollers G and G, and carrying-belt F, substantially in the manner and for the purpose above described.

2. The knife 0 provided with a lever, l, and hung on a fulcrum-pin, m, and the slide K, in

combination with the pitman J and stops 0 0, or their equivalent, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the adjustable plate n, pivoted knife-lever l, knife 0, and stationary cutters j, substantially as set forth.

- JOSEPH PIGKERING.

Witnesses:

THOMAS J. BEWLEY, STEPHEN USTIOK. 

